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So from here until at least the end of the season, Iowa State players, en masse, must make Tuesday’s spur-of-the-moment tribute a postgame tradition. Win or lose, point toward the large Orr banner. Thank him for bringing you Hilton Magic.

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There’s the larger-than-life statue in the concourse, and that’s neat, too, but Johnny’s passing Tuesday morning calls for something different. He never wanted his name placed on the floor, because he once said that statues last longer than paint. So that’s out.

I was stumped while walking off the court after the 13th-ranked Cyclones’ 99-63 trouncing of Northern Illinois — until nearly running into players standing smack dab in the center of the floor and pointing toward the rafters.

Then it struck me. The Johnny Orr banner was illuminated. Players were pointing at it. The crowd loved it. So did I.

I asked Georges Niang whose idea it was to do that. Was it Freddie, as Orr always called Fred Hoiberg?

Nah, Niang said. It was Naz.

So from here until at least the end of the season, Iowa State players, en masse, must make Tuesday’s spur-of-the-moment tribute a postgame tradition. Win or lose, point toward the large Orr banner. Thank him for bringing you Hilton Magic.

Johnny would love it.

“He’s up there watching us,” Niang said long after most everyone departed the arena. “We can’t let him down.”

With the Big 12 Conference season starting Saturday at Texas Tech, the 12-0 Cyclones’ mission is to keep playing exciting basketball, keep entertaining crowds, and, oh by the way, win — even on the road. (That’d really make Orr smile; his teams had trouble doing that, you know.)

They got off to a good start in the final nonconference game, swishing 3-pointers, running fast breaks, and hammering down gentle lobs with authority.

The crowd loved it, this first step at continuing what Orr started back in the 1980s.

But what about when the clock’s live?

Keep Orr’s vision alive by winning all home games — which is doable. Go 9-0 in the remaining Hilton Coliseum games. Beat the teams you’re supposed to beat on the road.

“And play defense,” Niang said while signing a piece of paper for an adoring little kid.

Defense?

“When we got stops, we were able to get out and run in transition,” he said of Tuesday night’s game. “When we got in transition, coach said that’s Johnny Ball.

“He’s the Godfather of Hilton Magic. We owe that to him. This season’s definitely for Johnny Orr — to win a championship for him.

“He brought this place from the bottom up. We appreciate that.”

Randy Peterson has been with the Register for four decades and covers Cyclone basketball. Follow him on Twitter all season long, @RandyPete.

ORR VISITATION TODAY AT HILTON

A public visitation will be held today at Hilton Coliseum to honor the legacy of Johnny Orr, Iowa State’s winningest men’s basketball coach who passed away Tuesday. All family, friends and fans are welcome to attend. The visitation will take place on the outer east concourse in front of “Johnny’s.”

Doors will be open from 1-8 p.m., with the Orr family present from 4-8 p.m. All parking lots will be open to the public except the ramp and B2 for ADA patrons. All doors except the east doors to Hilton Coliseum will be open. ADA patrons may enter on the lower west entrance. Adams Funeral Home in Ames is assisting the family with funeral arrangements. For further questions, call (515) 232-5121.